Great Rivers Panoramic Road

Take a journey through the beautiful Great Rivers Panoramic Road, a 124 km route that begins in Kampsville, USA and ends in St. Louis, USA. Along the way, you will visit the charming towns of Chautauqua and Alton. In Chautauqua, you can explore the historic sites, including the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge. In Alton, you will find a variety of restaurants and shops, as well as the majestic Mississippi River. The best time to drive this road trip is during the spring and summer months, when the scenery is at its most vibrant. The road conditions are generally good, making this a suitable trip for all drivers. This trip can be managed on a moderate budget, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a memorable road trip experience.

Kampsville, Illinois is the perfect starting point for the “Great Rivers Panoramic Road”. Located on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River and Illinois River, Kampsville features a range of picturesque sights and attractions. From historic sites and museums to outdoor adventures, there is something for everyone. For those traveling by air, the closest international airport is Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL). Car rental options are available at the airport for those wishing to drive the “Great Rivers Panoramic Road”. Kampsville is home to a variety of historic sites and museums, such as the Kampsville Historic District, the Kampsville Courthouse, and the Kampsville Indian Museum. Visitors can also explore the natural beauty of the area, with activities such as fishing, kayaking, or canoeing. Outdoor enthusiasts will also find plenty of opportunities to explore the area’s hiking, biking, and camping trails. Kampsville is the perfect starting point for the “Great Rivers Panoramic Road”. With its historic sites and museums, outdoor adventures, and beautiful scenery, Kampsville is sure to create a memorable experience for all who visit.

Embark on a breathtaking road trip from Kampsville to Chautauqua, a 34mi drive taking fewer than 1 hours. Start your journey in Kampsville, a small village located in the heart of the Illinois River Valley. Visit the historic Kampsville Courthouse, built in 1858, and the Kampsville Landing, where the first settlers of the area landed in 1832. Then, take a short drive east to Chautauqua. Here, you can explore the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, a paradise for birdwatchers, and the Chautauqua Conservation Area, where you can enjoy nature trails and fishing. You can also visit the historic Chautauqua Opera House, which dates back to the late 1800s. For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready for an amazing and unforgettable road trip from Kampsville to Chautauqua!

Welcome to the Chautauqua - Alton road trip stage! This 13-mile journey will take you less than an hour to complete. On your way, you will be able to admire the beauty of Chautauqua and Alton. In Chautauqua, you can explore the Chautauqua Institution and its historic amphitheater, the Chautauqua Lake, and the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds. In Alton, you can visit the Audubon Center and Sanctuary, the Alton Marina, and the Alton Museum of History and Art. All these places offer plenty of exciting activities and attractions that will make your road trip even more enjoyable. To make the most of your journey, you can also visit some of the local restaurants and campgrounds. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

Welcome to the Alton to St. Louis road trip! This is one of the stages of an amazing tour and it will take you from Alton to St. Louis, a distance of 30 miles that can be covered in less than an hour. Start your journey in Alton, a city located along the banks of the Mississippi River and known for its historical sites, such as the Elijah P. Lovejoy Monument, which commemorates the abolitionist and newspaper editor, and the Alton Museum of History and Art, which showcases the city’s history. The next stop is St. Louis, a vibrant city with a rich history and plenty of attractions. Visit the iconic Gateway Arch, the tallest monument in the United States, or take a stroll through the beautiful Forest Park. Don't forget to visit the St. Louis Zoo, one of the best zoos in the country. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please consult the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

St. Louis is an exciting destination at the end of the Great Rivers Panoramic Road. St. Louis is a vibrant city that offers a variety of attractions for visitors. The Gateway Arch, located in the downtown area, is a great place to start exploring the city. Climb to the top of the 630-foot-tall monument and take in the breathtaking views of the city. Other must-see attractions in St. Louis include the Saint Louis Zoo, the Missouri Botanical Garden, and the City Museum. For those interested in history, St. Louis is home to the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which houses the Museum of Westward Expansion. Here, visitors can learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Louisiana Purchase. Another popular attraction is the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, which features an impressive collection of mosaics. Sports fans should visit Busch Stadium, home to the St. Louis Cardinals, or Scottrade Center, home to the St. Louis Blues. Both venues offer great food and entertainment, as well as an exciting atmosphere. For those looking for a unique dining experience, St. Louis has plenty of options. From fine dining restaurants to food trucks, the city has something to offer everyone. The closest international airport to St. Louis is Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL). This airport provides many direct flights to and from various destinations around the world. No matter what your interests are, St. Louis is sure to provide a memorable experience. From its historic attractions to its delicious cuisine, the city has something to offer everyone. So come explore St. Louis at the end of the Great Rivers Panoramic Road.

Hopefully, our road trip idea gave you plenty of inspirations for your future travels.
It is a ready-made idea that can be easily turned into a longer journey – options are innumerable.
If car travel is the preferred travel mode for you, there are a number of important traffic regulations to follow and a list of things to be mindful of to make your adventure smooth. The following road rules will surely become useful for all drivers considering renting a car or camper rental in Illinois.
In Illinois, there are a number of traffic rules to be bore in mind while driving. Alcohol is best to be avoided at any price when travelling around Illinois. Holidayers should remember that the permitted consumption limit is rather low and amounts to only 0.5‰. Exceeding the maximum permissible speed, which is 40km/h, in urban areas may result in a speeding fine. Outside the cities, holidayers can travel at the maximum allowed speed of 72km/h. Avoid exceeding the allowed speed of 129km/h when travelling on motorways. In order to stay safe, we recommend equipping your car with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit and driving with your headlights on during the day.
But what are the costs of the whole trip. Depending on the budget option that you select, the final cost of the whole adventure can vary. A wide range of budget possibilities is showed below.
We estimate that the cheapest offer when it comes to gasoline to cover the planned 4 stages across Illinois can cost approximately 13 EUR. Travel expenses connected with economy hotels will cost up to roughly 77 EUR. When it comes to the travel expenses connected with restaurants and food in this option, the average costs are 72 EUR. Travellers will have to pay around 45 EUR if they aim for the cheapest hire car offer as well. Thus, you can expect the travel expenses to be about 162 EUR without car rental and 207 EUR with vehicle rental.
Holidaymakers who are interested in greater comfort and the standard option will pay more or less 25 EUR for the gasoline needed to cover the itinerary. If you are into standard accommodation options, you should remember that the expenses can amount up to more or less 121 EUR. Tourists can expect that the standard option in terms of restaurants and food will cost approximately 108 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the tour in a standard hire car can expect a cost of about 54 EUR. Summing up the standard offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total approximately 308 EUR for travellers who would like to try car hire and 254 EUR for those who are not interested in rental.
Travellers who would like to take advantage of the highest level of comfort will be pleased with the premium offer. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay about 457 EUR for the whole tour, whereas those who are not interested in car rental will spend around 367 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the trip in a premium rental car can expect a cost of approximately 90 EUR. In the top standard configuration of the tour, the gasoline cost will equal as much as 25 EUR. Drivers who are interested in top services in all aspects of their itinerary should expect to pay around 198 EUR for accommodation options and approximately 144 EUR for food and restaurants.
Great Rivers Panoramic Road will also become interesting for all camper lovers. If you choose this travel option, the expenses may amount to approximately 225 EUR. Tourists will spend about 38 EUR on gasoline allowing to cover all stages of the trip. Holidayers who would like to go for camper hire should expect to pay approximately 55 EUR for accommodation and about 72 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The Road Trip Costs section presents all the mentioned expenses in detail.
There are numerous intriguing road adventures that are available on our website if you’d like to see other of our road trip opportunities. We hope that the broad spectrum of options will definitely match up the expectations of the most demanding travellers.